PISCATAWAY, N.J. – The New Orleans Privateers (1-7) battled back from a double-digit halftime predicament to draw within one in the fourth quarter. However, the Rutgers Scarlet Knights (6-8) held serve at home to defeat the Privateers 64-56 on Sunday afternoon at Jersey Mike's Arena.
Facing a double-digit halftime deficit, the Privateers battled back valiantly in the second half. An 11-point Rutgers lead was trimmed to six heading into the fourth. From there, the Privateers cut the Scarlet Knights lead to one on two separate occasions in the final quarter.
However, Rutgers posted a 6-0 spurt to grow their lead to 55-48 with 4:01 remaining and they were able to hold through the remainder of the contest for the victory.
The Scarlet Knights came out with a steady run that extended through the first five minutes of the game. Rutgers went ahead 16-3 in that stretch but the Privateers steadied things toward the end of the opening stanza.
A 9-0 run by the Privateers over the last 2:41 of the first quarter trimmed Rutgers' advantage to 21-14 heading to the second. The second quarter was played evenly as both teams' defenses held the opponent to under 30 percent from the field.
Hennessey Luu-Brown sank a three-pointer to cut the Scarlet Knights' lead to 29-23. That's when Rutgers went on a critical 6-0 spurt keyed by a Kaylene Smikle three-point play and an Erica Lafayette triple to send Rutgers into the locker room with a 35-23 lead.
INSIDE THE BOX
DeArica Pryor scored a team-high 16 points and pulled down seven rebounds in 32 minutes. Luu-Brown had her first game of double-digit rebounds with 10 and added six assists. As a team, New Orleans had 16 assists on 21 made field goals.
Zoe Cooper chipped in eight points, five rebounds and two blocks.
Nora Francois added seven points and five boards.
Rutgers had three in double figures led by Smikle's 19 points. Awa Sidibe and Chyna Cornwell each scored 15 points. Cornwell also added 13 rebounds.
NEXT UP
The Privateers will face Hofstra on Wednesday. Tip is scheduled for 6 p.m. CST.
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